Austin Jackson receives a hug from starting pitcher Max Scherzer after leaving the game and receiving word he'd been traded in a deal for David Price. / Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

In a stunning move that gives them three former Cy Young Award winners, the Detroit Tigers have acquired David Price from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-way deal with the Seattle Mariners.

A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed it to USA TODAY Sports. He spoke on condition of anonymity because it has not yet been announced.

The Mariners will receive center fielder Austin Jackson from the Tigers and will send infielder Nick Franklin to the Rays, who also will receive lefty Drew Smyly and Class A shortstop Willy Adames.

Jackson was removed from the Tigers games against the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning and replaced by Rajai Davis.

Price, 28, is eligible for free agency after next season, prompting the Rays to weigh whether to keep him for next season or trade him. That decision became complicated when Price and the Rays took off in conjunction: He won six consecutive starts, posting a 1.31 ERA in that stretch, and the Rays went 10-1 to crawl back into contention in the AL East.

But Price lost what turned out to be his final start in Tampa Bay on Wednesday to the Milwaukee Brewers; he was dealt almost 24 hours afterward, for far less than the blockbuster offer it was assumed would be needed to acquire his services.

Instead, the Rays settled on Franklin, who has decent upside as a middle infielder, and Smyly, 26, a solid left-handed starter with a 3.46 career ERA.

He's also four years away from free agency, always a crucial consideration for Tampa Bay.

The Mariners, meanwhile, gives up Franklin but gain Jackson, who will slide right into their center field equation as they battle to maintain their hold on the American League's second wild card spot.